SC To Resume Hearing Kolkata Doctor Rape And Murder Case — A Recap Of Developments In Court So Far
The Supreme Court will resume hearing on Monday the suo-motu petition in the brutal rape and murder of an on duty trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
As the Supreme Court will resume hearing on Monday the suo-motu petition in the brutal rape and murder of an on duty trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, here's a recap of developments in the top court so far.
A civic volunteer was arrested by the police the next day in connection with the case. The Calcutta High Court had transferred the investigation to CBI. Today, the Supreme Court will go through the status report filed by the CBI and Kolkata police.
On August 20, the top court constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to ensure safety of all medical professionals across India. The top court while hearing the case pertaining to the brutal rape and murder of a women doctor at the RG Kar Medical college and hospital in Kolkatta observed that medical professional have to face various forms of violence even as they work round the clock.
The top court said that the NTF shall make recommendations pertaining to safety, working conditions and well being of the medical professionals and other cognate matters highlighted in its order. The NTF has to furnish an interim report in three weeks and a final report within 2 months.
On August 22, the CBI submitted its investigation status report in the apex court which revealed that the crime scene was tampered with and confirmed the claim that the parents were first told that it was a suicide and the FIR was delayed. After going through the CBI status report the bench headed by CJI Chandrachud raised several questions over the conflicting timings of investigation on August 9, as reported by CBI and West Bengal government.
At the outset the top court expressed dismay at the FIR being filed at 11:45 PM when the case was first reported at 10:10 am on August 9. The court also questioned if the unnatural death case was registered after the Post Mortem was conducted. (Post Mortem is conducted when unnatural death is reported.)
The Supreme Court questioned the West Bengal government over timing or registering General Entry, case of Unnatural Death (UD) and FIR in the brutal murder and rape case. Justice Pardiwala who was part of the bench rebuked the conduct of West Bengal government in handling the case and remarked that in his 30 years of career, he has not seen anything like this. He said that while asking if the UD was registered after the post mortem was conducted.
CJI Chandrachud while questioning Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for West Bengal government, remarked, "Mr Sibal, one aspect is extremely disturbing, the General Diary entry of death is recorded at 10:10 AM...the securing of the crime scene, the seizures, etc was done at 11:30 at night? what was happening till then?"
However, Sibal maintained that everything was videographed and the state has followed all the required procedures. He also placed his own timeline in the court.
In the last hearing, the apex court was also urged all protesting doctors to resume work. The bench had ordered deployment of CISF at the RG Kar Hospital.
Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs had filed an application in the Supreme Court stating that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital are facing severe difficulties due to lack of accomodation and basic security infrastructure. The Home Ministry has also urged the top court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the West Bengal government for non-compliance with the Supreme Court order.
The application states that the troops are presently staying at CISF Unit SMP, Kolkata despite the constraints being faced by the accommodating unit.
"The traveling time from SMP Kolkata to RG Kar Hospital is nearly 01-hour from one side and it is difficult to discharge duties effectively and to mobilize CISF troops to duly and promptly respond during contingencies," the application read.
The top court will also be hearing this application today.
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